Dehumidifier



Aug. L 1933e G. E. POGGEL DEHUMIDIFIEH File-d April 29, 1929 Patented Aug. l, 1933 UNITED ASTATES PATENT OFFICE DEHUMIDIFIER George E. Poggel, Louisville, Ky., assigner to Advance Manufacturing Company, Louisville, Ky., a Corporation of Kentucky Application April 29, 1929. serial No. 359,063

2 claims. (ci. 18e- 4) be controlled in such manner as to overcome the humidity is high, due to air conditions, devices oi' this character merely add to the moisture at. a time when a lower degree of humidity is needed, and only iind usefulness at such times as when low humidity prevails.

Another condition encountered in connection with paper in printing and lithographing establishments is that, whereas a given grade of paper may withstand a greater amount oi. humidity than another grade without resultant unsatisfactory eiects, as all papers do not act the same, a real necessity exists at present for the provision of means which will create, andmaintain, a condition or degree of humidity which will produce no unsatisfactory eects onIl any of the various kinds of paper in use. y

t is a well-known fact that the degree of humidity usually fluctuates with the temperature and that paper acquires its greatest tensile strength with a minimum tendency toward distortion when its relative humidity is In View of the foregoing conditions, it will be recognized that it is more economical to provide a method and means adapted to dehumidify or lower the humidity than it is to resort to means intended to maintain a iixed air condition, in

substantially. correct condition of humidity throughout a given space. l

Each unit embodying the present improvements is not restricted in size or shape nor to the speciiic form hereinafter described and which is Ashown in the accompanying drawing, as modications may be resorted to, while retaining the essential principle of the invention.

, I have found that a convenient and satisfactory source of heat and air circulation consists of an electric lamp embodied in the unit and adapted for connection to any electrical current outlet, the lamp being combined in an improved manner with means for containing a chemical compound which in its original state, is in the form of small crystals. The heatfrom the light is suicient to warm the air and warm thel chemical compound, thereby to prolong the effectiveness of the chemical compound, as this dry heat treatment makes dissipation occur slowly, requiring re-illing with fresh chemical compound only at intervals of several months instead of every few weeks. l

When the eiectiveness of the chemicalcompound is lessened, a substitution of like material may be in each unit employed.

I have found that paper reaches its maximum attraction for moisture at a relative lhumidity of 45%, that is to say, that it is not essential to establish a xed degree of humidity, the main requirement being to prevent the humidity from rising higher than From 45% humidity to the minimum representing perfectly dry paper, the paper is not adversely affected, hence from a theoretical minimum of zero relativehumidity to 45% relative humidity, no bad effects are produced' upon paper., From 45% upward, paper begins to expand and stretch. In the rise from 45% to 60% relative humidity, the glue and sizing t absorb the moisture and its stretching gradually occurs to a small extent. From`% relative humidity upwardly, stretching of the paper. occurs quickly and in more radical form, as the fiber of the paper takes up the' moisture.

My invention, by effecting dehumidiiication, enables the relative humidity to be kept down to 55% or lower.

One embodiment of the invention is hereinafter described and is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which: f'

Figure 1 is a side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section; and

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2.

The outer shell of the dehumidiiier comprises a cup-like base or lower part 1 and abody 2 of Los Wire mesh rising therefrom. Projecting upwardly from the base are posts 3 and 4a. central tubular part 4.

lThe container for the chemicals comprises conf centric inner and outer shells 5, 6 which are of perforated metal and are closed at the top and bottom by heads 7 and 8;

The chemicals 9 are packed in the space between the shells 5 and 6 and the perforations in said shells enable the air to Afhave access to the chemicals so that the latter may absorb the requisite amount of moisture therefrom.

The chemicals 9 are of crystalline form, as I have found that they are most eiective when in the form of crystals. Such chemicals or chemical compounds as have capacity for absorbing the moisture from the air, will be used, calcium chloride being one such substance. I do not limit myself to any particular chemicals although in use I have found that certain ones are better adapted to the purpose than are others which have moisture-absorbing properties.

The removable top or cap 10 which is provided with any suitable means, such as screws 11 for its detachable connection to the upper part of the body 2, supports the heat producing and air circulating means 12. A convenient means of that character is an electric lamp bulb carried by a socket 13, the latter being secured to a hollow rod 14 through which passes the circuit wires 15.

The rod projects down within the inner shell 5 and the lamp 12 is disposed in the lower part of said inner shell.

The cap or top 10 has air exit holes 16.

The cup-like base 1 collects any excess moisture which is not absorbed by the chemicals 9.

Chemicals will be used which have an aflinity for moisture.

'Ihe head 8 at the bottom of the shells 5 and 6 rests upon the posts 3 and the central tube 4 telescopes within the lower end of the inner shell 5.

The circuit wires 15 are connected to any suitable electric 'plug 17 so that the appliance may be connected to any source of electrical current.

The heat treatment from the lamp serves the purposes of .inducing upward air circulation, warming the air, and Warming the-chemical cornpound, so that the effectiveness of the latter will be prolonged. 'Ihe chemicals" are thus kept in effective condition for .a longer period than though the lamp were not used and air currents are induced by the heated air passing up the inner shell 5 and escaping through the holes 16. rIhis circulation draws the air through vthe body 2 and the shells 5 and 6 and subjects it to the action of the chemicals, thereby effecting dehumidication to a degree suilcient to prevent the humidity of the air in the region of the appliance from rising above 55%.

In practice, I have found that by reason of using the lamp 12, instead of having to renew the chemicals within a few weeks, they are effective over a period of several months before substitution of fresh chemicals becomes necessary.

The invention is not limited to embodiment in cylindrical form, as other shapes may be employed for the shells and body. Neither is it essential to utilize the principle of ascending air circulation or natural circulation induced by a heating means, as a suction or exhaust fan or a pressure fan may be used to cause air circulation.

However, among the advantages of the invention as shown in the drawing is that of portability and compactness as well as low cost of manufacture. As many of the dehumidifiers may be used as required by the cubical air space which requires dehumidication and the dehu'- midiers may be moved from place to place, according to requirements.

The principle of the present invention may be embodied in large or small cabinets which may have shutters adapted for regulation by a recording hygrometer.

What I claim is:

1. In a dehumidifier, the combination with an outer shell of open-work construction, of an inner shell of open-work construction comprising inner and outer Walls each having interstices, and an open air circulating space within the confines .of the inner wall whichis in air communication with the space between the said inner and outer walls, dehumidifying chemicals contained within the space between the inner and outer walls of the inner shell, and heating means within the said open air space which circulates the air which enters the open air circulating space within the confines of the inner wall of the inner shell. and

thereby causes the air outside the dehumidifier to travel through the chemicals and to circulate past them. 2. In a dehumidifier, the combination with an lthrough and past the chemicals.

GEORGE E. POGGEL.

llO 

